HELENA – State Auditor Matt Rosendale, a GOP contender in the U.S. Senate race for Democrat Jon Tester’s seat, said Thursday he has received the endorsement of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

“Senator Cruz is a principled conservative leader that I admire and respect. I’m grateful to have his support and I will stand with Senator Cruz in Washington to defend the Constitution and the Montana way of life,” Rosendale said in a news release.

This is the third Republican of nationwide note who has endorsed the Glendive resident as of Wednesday. Rosendale announced he also had the endorsement of Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee and on Oct. 18, Rosendale said in a Facebook post that he had also been endorsed by Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist to Trump who is now chairman of Breitbart News.